The decision came after more than two hours of testimony where church members and residents from the nearby Oakhurst Neighborhood traded barbs and

Political divisions and concerns over a legal battle punctuated heated debate over whether the church could build housing for trafficking survivors.

Mercy Culture is threatening to sue individual Fort Worth City Council members and city staff if a proposed human trafficking victim shelter isn’t approved at the Dec. 10 council meeting, according to a demand letter obtained by the Star-Telegram.

The Fort Worth City Council approved a site plan for Mercy Culture Church's Human Justice Reform center. The church intends to build a new, nearly 43,000 square foot facility with 107 beds and 16 staff members.